SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 916th Air Refueling Wing and the 4th Fighter Wing conducted an active shooter exercise here, Jan. 11, 2017.
The exercise simulated a real-world active shooter event involving a lone gunman, security forces response team, and wing Airmen as the shooter’s victims. Observers from both wings’ inspection offices were on hand to evaluate the response and provide feedback to participants.
“It better prepares them, and it better prepares their peers too,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Bryant, 916th ARW director of inspections.
The active shooter scenario gave the inspection team the opportunity to gauge the response efforts of Seymour Airmen in a highly adverse and tense situation.
“It allowed us an opportunity to test the effectiveness of our command and control systems in a controlled exercise environment,” said Col. Eric Jenkins, 916th ARW commander.
The simulation also allowed active duty and reserve personnel to augment each other by tapping into the robust manpower pool of the active duty force and the unique civilian experiences of the Reserve component.
Bryant said reservists can gain additional benefits from scenarios like this because they are exposed to critical training and skills that they can apply in civilian workspaces.
“Our training not only helps the member, but it also helps the community,” said Bryant, adding that wing members usually don’t get this kind of training in their civilian jobs.
Bryant went on to say that these situations highlight the best of both components and reinforce the concept of a Total Force effort.